Method and Apparatus For Mechanically Processing an Organ or Organs Taken Out From Slaughtered Poultry

ABSTRACT

Method and apparatus are provided for mechanically processing an organ or organs taken out from slaughtered poultry in a processing device or processing line, which organ or organs form part of an organ package and wherein said organ or organs are separated from the organ package. The organ package is spatially oriented by the processing device without notably breaking tissue connections in the package, and in a preselected order so as to cause the harvesting of organs from the package to occur in a preselected sequence that depends on the location of the organ package in the processing device or processing line.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a divisional application of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/408,496 filed on Mar. 20, 2009,which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes and isrelated to the concurrently filed U.S. patent application entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MECHANICALLY PROCESSING AN ORGAN OR ORGANSTAKEN OUT FROM SLAUGHTERED POULTRY,” assigned U.S. Ser. No. (not yetassigned) and filed Jun. 10, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a method for mechanically processing an organ ororgans taken out from slaughtered poultry in a processing device orprocessing line (the organ or organs forming part of an organ package)wherein the organ or organs are separated from the organ package.Usually the organ package taken out of the poultry also includes theintestines.

The invention also relates to a processing line for harvesting an organor organs from an organ package taken out of slaughtered poultry, whichprocessing line includes at least one processing device for processingan organ or organs from the organ package.

The processing device may, for instance, concern a divider unit thatincludes a conveyor for organ packages having conveyor pans forming partof the conveyor, which conveyor pans are intended to receive the organpackages. The processing device may, however, further concern an organharvester, a gizzard processing device and/or a gizzard peeler as to bedetailed hereinafter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

EP-A-1 769 681 teaches a method and device for mechanically processing acluster of organs of a slaughtered animal wherein the cluster is takenout of and separated from the body of the slaughtered animal. A clampingdevice is used to fix a particular organ within the cluster, and thecluster is conveyed along a predetermined path. Tissue connections inthe cluster are then broken on the basis of the spatial orientation ofthe cluster, which is derived from the spot where the concerning organis clamped.

In general, methods and processing lines for mechanically processing anorgan or organs taken out of slaughtered poultry with the aim to harvestthe separate organs from the organ package are suffering from diverseproblems such as organ packages or organs thereof are lost duringprocessing, damage occurs to organs such as the liver and the heart, andunintentionally certain organs such as gallbladders are not removed ororgans are not entirely separated and cause obstructions in theprocessing line. Further problems are connected to the use of hugeamounts of water and energy. Notably, the processing lines of the priorart also include many parts and are expensive while such lines are stillsuffering from the problem that the organ packages are not handled well.

SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing summary description, or may be obvious from the description,or may be learned through practice of the invention. A summary ofcertain exemplary embodiments and methods of the present invention willnow be set forth.

With the invention it is intended to address at least some of theabove-described problems and to provide an alternative solution toexisting methods and machines for processing an organ or organs thatform part of an organ package that is taken out of slaughtered poultry.

Accordingly, exemplary methods, several processing devices, and aprocessing line are proposed in accordance with the appended claims.

Basically, an exemplary method for mechanically processing an organ ororgans that form part of an organ package is characterized in that theorgan package is spatially oriented by the processing device withoutnotably or substantially breaking tissue connections in the package andin a preselected order so as to cause the harvesting of organs from thepackage to occur in a preselected sequence that depends on the locationof the organ package in the processing device or processing line. Thiscontributes to the entirely automatic processing of such organ packageswherein the collection of the organs takes place with the least possibledamage and in an orderly fashion, obviating the otherwise general needto inspect and check whether all collected organs at a particular pointare of the same type, such that hearts go to hearts, livers go tolivers, and gizzards go to gizzards.

The benefit of the exemplary method of the invention particularly comesinto view due to the feature that the organ package is conveyed to theprocessing device or processing line such that the organs in the packageare randomly oriented. The handling and the processing of the organpackage thus occurs in a very robust manner that is rather insensitiveto disturbances due to the manner of presentation or introduction of theorgan package to the processing device or processing line.

In order to promote a swift operation it is further advantageous thatthe spatial orientation of the organ package is carried out whilesimultaneously the organ or organs in the package are directly subjectedto a propulsive force for moving the package through the processingdevice or processing line.

The processing of the organs or organ that form part of the organpackage is preferably carried out by separating the edible parts fromthe inedible parts of the organ package. In this respect it is preferredthat the harvesting of organs occurs after removing the non-edible partsfrom the organ package, such as the gallbladder, and other parts such asthe intestines and the crop.

To promote the removal of the gallbladder from the organ package, whichfurther comprises a duodenum, it is beneficial that this duodenum isdrawn away from the remainder of the organ package so as to exposetissue connections between the gallbladder and other parts of the organpackage to a cutting instrument.

Another aspect of this exemplary method according to the invention isthat harvesting of organs is executed by tearing or cutting tissueconnections that connect the organs to the remainder of the organpackage.

The invention is also embodied in a processing line in which anexemplary method of the invention can be employed and that serves forharvesting an organ or organs from an organ package taken out fromslaughtered poultry. Such a processing line includes at least oneprocessing device in which the organ or organs from the organ packageare processed.

Any exemplary such processing device has at least an entry and an exit,and processing means arranged between the entry and exit that arearranged for simultaneously providing a preselected orientation to theorgan package and propagating the organ package from the entry to theexit. The processing device is provided with waste discharge means fordisposal of inedible portions from the organ package.

In order to answer to increasing demand for automatic processing of thesaid organ packages it is preferable that the processing lineincorporates a series of processing devices for sequentially harvestingfrom an organ package one or more organs from the group comprising aheart, a liver, a gizzard (i.e. ventriculus) with a pre-stomach (i.e.proventriculus) attached thereto. One of the processing devices may bean organ harvester for harvesting an organ selected from the group thatincludes the heart, liver, gizzard, pre-stomach, and combinationsthereof, and/or a gizzard peeler.

In such an automatic processing line, normally it is preferred toinclude a gizzard processing device for separating a pre-stomach from agizzard and a gizzard peeler for subsequently peeling said gizzard.Wherever in this document reference is made to a gizzard this refers tothe ventriculus, and wherever reference is made to a pre-stomach thisrefers to the proventriculus.

A further aspect of the processing line according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention is that it may comprise a divider unit in aconveyor line for transporting organ packages, for selectivelytransferring organ packages from the conveyor line to parallel sub-linesfor harvesting organs from the organ packages in each of the parallelsub-lines. By these means it is possible to effectively increase theprocessing capacity of the processing line by setting up an appropriatenumber of parallel sub-lines that are fed by the divider unit.

In still a further embodiment of the invention, the divider unit thatincludes a conveyor for organ packages, also includes conveyor pans thatform part of the conveyor for receiving therein the organ packages,whereby each of the pans is mounted on a bar or bars of the conveyor.The bar or bars are arranged perpendicular to the conveyor's conveyingdirection. Positioning means are provided that cooperate with selectedones of the conveyor pans for positioning such pans along the bar orbars so as to move the respective pans and the organ packages containedtherein to preselected entries of further processing devices downstreamof the conveyor.

An effective way of executing the positioning means for the conveyorpans is to execute them as diverting tracks whereby the conveyor panshave pins of wheels attached thereto that cooperate with the divertingtracks.

Further in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of invention, anorgan harvester is proposed that has an in-feed for organ packages andone or more exits for an organ or organs that are separated from theorgan packages. Conveyor means are provided for moving the organpackages or parts thereof from the in-feed towards the exit or exits.The conveyor means are arranged to bring the organ packages in apredetermined orientation wherein inedible portions of the packagesincluding the duodenum are below edible portions of the packages. Thisallows for an accurate separation of the edible portions from theinedible portions of the package.

Preferably, the conveyor means cooperate with stopping means fortemporarily delaying the movement of the organ packages in the conveyingdirection so as to prolong the conveyor means acting on the organpackages for providing it with the predetermined orientation.

Whether or not the stopping means are employed, in exemplary embodimentsof the organ harvester of this invention it is proposed that downstreamof the conveyor means is a first separator for detaching the inedibleportions from the organ package.

A specific feature of the organ harvester according to exemplaryembodiments of the invention is that the first separator is a cutterwith catch and drawing means below the cutters, The catch and drawingmeans are arranged to catch part of the inedible portions of the organpackage and subsequently draw the portions so as to cause the cutter toeffectively cuts the tissue connections between the inedible portionsand the remainder of the organ package.

Effectively, the catch and drawing means are executed as cooperatingrollers having during operation opposite rotational directions. Therollers each are provided with a first section having a first radius anda second section having a second radius, wherein the first radius islarger than the second radius. The rollers are arranged such that duringoperation the respective first sections and the respective secondsections of the rollers execute a mirror-image movement.

This is preferably arranged such that the cooperating rollers of thecatch and drawing means have at the first sections intermeshing teeth,and the second sections of the rollers define a nip in between them whenthe second sections are adjacent to each other. The nip is effective forcatching the concerning inedible portions of the organ package therein.

The cutting of the tissue connections is most securely effected when thecutter has a central tongue and slits on both sides adjacent thereto forreceiving in at least one of the slits tissue connections of the organpackage, The central tongue and/or said slits are provided with cuttingedges.

The inventors have found it advantageous that the conveyor means includeat least one endless belt that cooperates with a transport-unit selectedfrom the group that includes a second endless belt and a roller. Betweenthe at least one endless belt and the transport-unit a nip is providedthat allows inedible portions of the organ packages to pass through.

Particularly the at least one endless belt contributes to the effectivecombined operation on the organ packages wherein the package is conveyedin its intended direction and simultaneously processed by the organharvester such that a separation occurs from edible portions andinedible portions of the organ package. To promote the effectiveoperation of the conveyor means, it is desirable that the at least oneendless belt and the transport-unit each are provided circumferentiallywith cooperating grooves that during operation move in oppositerotational directions, and notably that the at least one endless beltand/or the second endless belt each have a direction of movement that isperpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor means.

A very special feature of the endless belt is that adjacent to thetransport-unit the grooves of the at least one endless belt are shapedas part of a pitched groove and that distant from the transport-unit thegrooves of the at least one endless belt are shaped as staggered grooveportions. This feature contributes tremendously to the effectivity ofboth the conveying function (due to the pitched groove adjacent thetransport-unit) and the separation, function which is heavily promotedby the grooves having staggered portions at locations distant from thetransport-unit.

It is advantageous that downstream of the conveyor means is a secondseparator for separating an organ or organs from the organ packages,wherein in the conveying direction the second separator is locatedbehind the first separator.

The design of the second separator is preferably such that it includesat least two cooperating first rollers that are at least in partcircumferentially provided with grooves. The first rollers define apreferably adjustable nip between the rollers for selectively allowingpreselected first organs from the organ package to pass through. Duringoperation the first rollers rotate in opposite directions in order toconvey the organ packages and simultaneously promote the preselectedfirst organ or organs to pass through the nip.

In order to secure transport of the organ packages at this point and toeffectively execute the selective separation of organs from the organpackages at predetermined positions thereafter, the second separatorcomprises at least in part of the organ packages' path of conveyance ascrew transporter.

Particularly the separation function benefits from positioning the screwtransporter above the supporting means for the organ or organs to betransported. The supporting means are cooperating second rollers with atleast in part a smooth surface. The second rollers have a nip in betweenpreventing the passage therethrough of a preselected second organ ororgans.

The supporting means and screw transporter are preferably so dimensionedthat the screw transporter and the supporting means define a space forreceiving therein the organ or organs.

A further aspect of the organ harvester of the invention is that thefirst rollers and the second rollers are unitary and define a narrowingnip in between the rollers as seen in the conveying direction of therollers, so as to cause the preselected first organs to be moved throughthe nip at the wider part of the nip whilst preselected second organsremain supported and conveyed by the rollers. This promotes selectiveharvesting of organs at preselected positions along the processing line.

A further desirable feature of the organ harvester according to theinvention is that the screw transporter includes an axis that iscircumferentially provided with a spiraling wall, wherein adjacent partsof the wall are spaced apart so as to enable receiving a preselectedsecond organ or organs there between. There is a closing wall at theexit of the screw transporter that connects the adjacent parts of thespiralling wall. The said closing wall acts as separating means for thelast organ to be separated from the organ packages, such that duringoperation the closing wall (which is arranged at the exit of the screwtransporter) provides a pulling force on a preselected second organ ororgans in order to break tissue connections that connect the secondorgan or organs to a preselected first organ or organs that are arrangedbelow the cooperating rollers that support the second organ or organs ofthe organ packages. Also, the screw transporter is otherwise arrangedsuch that it separates and detaches the preselected first organs fromthe preselected second organs of the organ package.

Although the organ package can have a diversity of organs, it ispreferable that the organ package includes at least a heart and/or aliver and/or a gizzard and/or a pre-stomach and that the organ harvestersupplies these organs or a selection thereof through its exit or exits.Hence at predetermined points harvesting of subsequently liver, heart,and gizzard with pre-stomach can occur.

The invention is further embodied in a gizzard processing device havingan in-feed for an unprocessed gizzard-package and an exit or exits forparts of the gizzard-package such as a pre-stomach and/or a gizzard.This gizzard processing device is in accordance with exemplary aspectsof the invention includes an in-feed that has cooperating rollers havinghelically shaped grooves for positioning the gizzard-package in anupright position with the gizzard above the pre-stomach for transportingthe gizzard-package in its conveying direction.

The gizzard processing device preferably is provided with a cuttingdevice near the end of the cooperating rollers for breaking the tissueconnections between the gizzard and the pre-stomach.

Advantageously, the gizzard processing device includes a slope portionwith a centrally positioned knife and slopes extending on both sides ofthe knife at a predetermined angle with respect to the knife. By thesemeans the gizzard can be easily opened and subsequently spread into a socalled butterfly shape.

To this end it is preferred that the slopes extend symmetrically on bothsides of the knife and that the angle of the slopes gradually developsas seen in the conveying direction of the gizzard so as to cause thegizzard, after being cut by the knife, to be spread into a completelyopen shape.

It is further desirable that there is a washing beam for the gizzardsthat includes grooves and a water supply having its outlet or outlets inthe grooves for washing out the gizzard's contents. By these means thecontents of the gizzards such as stones may easily be washed out.

The washing beam is normally located behind the slope portion as seen inthe gizzard's conveying direction. Further aspects of the invention areembodied in a gizzard peeler that may be combined with the gizzardprocessing device of the invention or be applied independently.

The gizzard peeler of the invention has an in-feed for an opened gizzardand an exit for a peeled gizzard and is provided with transportationmeans for moving the gizzard from the in-feed to the exit. Both thein-feed and the exit may be provided with washing drums for washing theopened gizzard and the peeled gizzard respectively. The gizzard peeleris further characterized in that it includes a series of rollersets.Each rollerset includes a first roller and a second roller that in userotate in opposite directions. Due to this opposite rotation of therollers in each rollerset a very effective peeling of the gizzard cantake place.

A further characterizing feature of the gizzard peeler according to theinvention is that each of the rollersets partly borders a space that isarranged for receipt of the gizzard.

Thus, it is possible that the rollersets collectively form asubstantially cylindrical case or form part of such a case for thegizzard. The cooperating rollers of each rollerset does not only provideeffective peeling, but also ensure transportation from the gizzard fromthe in-feed section to the exit of the peeler.

To promote the peeling of the gizzards it is further desirable that therollersets are rotatable around a central body axis of the case.

The gizzard peeler of the invention can effectively be executed suchthat it is provided with a rotatable plate having a circular series ofholes. The first roller of each rollerset has its axis received in oneof the holes such that each hole receives one of the axes, and that agear is provided that intermeshes with teeth provided on selectedrollers of said rollersets. Due to the combined operation of therotatable plate and the gear, the rollers of the rollersets can be putin concerted motion.

It is further desirable that the first and second rollers of eachrollerset have intermeshing teeth. This ensures coordinated action ofthe first and second rollers of each roller-set. This is preferable suchthat the gear intermeshes with only one selected roller of eachrollerset, and that the non-selected roller only intermeshes with theselected roller.

It is further desirable that the intermeshing teeth of the first andsecond roller are helically shaped. This is most effective for both thetransportation function and the peeling function of the rollers that arecomprised in each rollerset.

A further beneficial feature of the gizzard peeler of the invention isthat a stopper disc is provided between the in-feed and the exit. Thiscan effectively prolong the peeling action on the gizzards.

It is proposed that the stopper disc have a central portion which iscircumferentially provided with resilient flaps.

The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to aprocessing line in which several processing devices in accordance withthe invention are employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With respect to the processing line and the processing devices that arepart thereof, reference is made to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 provides a top view of a processing line according to anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows in perspective a divider unit in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 shows schematically and in perspective an organ harvester inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show a first separator of the organ harvester shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show conveyor means as employed in the organ harvesterof FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show the second separator of the organ harvester ofFIG. 3 with (FIG. 7) and without (FIG. 8) gizzard guide means;

FIG. 9 shows a gizzard processing device in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show a first and a second embodiment of a gizzardpeeler in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 12 shows a further embodiment of a gizzard peeler which isdeveloped from the embodiment shown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, includingthe best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, isset forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

Wherever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, thesenumerals refer to the same or similar features or parts of the devicesshown.

With reference first to FIG. 1 a top view is shown of a processing linefor harvesting an organ or organs from an organ package taken out fromslaughtered poultry wherein subsequently different processing devicesare employed that can also be employed independently and separate fromthe other processing devices that are placed in the processing line.

Organ packages are supplied by means of an endless conveyor 1. Theconveyor 1 may have any conventional form such as an endless conveyorwith pans in which the organ packages are transported, but may also beembodied in the form of transport shackles which can be commanded torelease the organ packages at the entrance of at least one processingline or at the location of a divider unit 2, if multiple processing(sub-)lines are employed. The divider unit 2 divides the stream of organpackages into as many parallel streams as desired. The figure shows thatthe division occurs into three parallel lines, with each line includingat least one organ harvester 3 for harvesting hearts at exit 6, liversat exit 7, and gizzards with pre-stomach at exit 4. Exit 4 connects to agizzard processing device as will be discussed hereinafter. Further,exit 8 is provided for disposal of inedible portions of the organpackages that are processed in the organ harvester 3 of the concerningline. An exit 5 for gizzards with pre-stomach is provided in case it isnot intended to further process these gizzards.

If the gizzards with pre-stomach are intended to be further processedthey can be entered at an in-feed 18 of a gizzard processing device 17,which is followed by a gizzard peeler 13 providing peeled gizzards atits exit 14. Any waste leaves the gizzard processing device 17 at exit11 and leaves the gizzard peeler 13 at its exit 15.

The gizzard peeler 13 also includes a separate entry 16 for manuallyinputting any gizzards which require a further peeling operation. Thegizzard processing device 17 together with the gizzard peeler 13 areindicated with reference numeral 9.

FIG. 2 separately shows the divider unit of an exemplary embodiment ofthe invention.

This divider unit can be used with particular advantage in high speedmodern slaughter houses in which more than 12000 birds per hour areprocessed. With the application of the divider unit the organ packagesthat are obtained from the birds can be divided over several parallelprocessing sub-lines in order to reduce the processing speed that isrequired for each separate processing sub-line.

The divider unit of the invention employs an endless conveyor chain 2.5to which pans 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 are attached. Into the conveyor pans 2.2,2.3 and 2.4, the organ packages are delivered at the in-feed part 2.1 ofthe divider unit.

As FIG. 2 clearly shows, the conveyor pans 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 areslideably mounted on bars 2.7 which are perpendicular to the conveyingdirection of the divider unit. Provision is further made for positioningmeans 2.6 that cooperate with the conveyor pans 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 forpositioning the pans along the bar or bars 2.7 so as to move therespective pans 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 and the organ packages contained in thepans to preselected entries of further processing devices, and inparticular to the organ harvester 3 (see FIG. 1) that is placeddownstream the divider unit.

With reference to FIG. 3, the organ harvester 3 as shown in FIG. 1 isschematically shown in a perspective view. Parts of this organ harvesterthat are not relevant for the disclosure of the invention are omitted.

During operation, organ packages can be thrown or released into thegutter 3.1 whereby the organ packages have a random orientation. Fromthe gutter 3.1, the organ packages are dropped onto in-feed gibletrollers 3.2 (for a clearer picture see also FIG. 5 and FIG. 6). Thein-feed giblet rollers 3.2 are preferably conically shaped creating anopening between the rollers allowing the intestines forming part of theorgan packages to pass through.

Followed by the in-feed giblet rollers 3.2 is a giblet belt 3.3, whichin the shown embodiment is combined with a transport-unit in the form ofa roller 3.4 (see FIG. 5), but which may also be replaced by a secondgiblet belt as the one shown with reference numeral 3.3. The combinedoperation of the giblet belt 3.3 and the transport-unit 3.4 forces thesofter parts of the organ packages, including the duodenum, underneaththe opening between the transport-unit 3.4 and giblet belt 3.3 leavingthe heart, liver and gizzard with pre-stomach on top.

With reference again to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, there are preferably alsohinging stopping plates 3.5 to slow down the organ packages so as toimprove the drawing of the intestines underneath the opening between thetransport-unit 3.4 and giblet belt 3.3.

Downstream of the conveyor means 3.3, 3.4 is a first separator 3.6 (FIG.3) that has the purpose of removing the inedible parts of the organpackage, so as to leave the heart, liver, gizzard, and pre-stomachundamaged.

This first separator is shown in detail in FIG. 4A-4C respectively andis provided with a cutter 4.1 and with catch and drawing means 4.2 belowsaid cutter 4.1. The catch and drawing means 4.2 are arranged to catchpart of the inedible portions 4.3 of the organ package and subsequentlydraw the portions so that the cutter 4.1 can effectively cut the tissueconnections between the inedible portions 4.3 and the remainder of theorgan package 4.4 which is on top of the separator.

As FIGS. 4A-4C show, the catch and drawing means 4.2 are executed ascooperating rollers. These cooperating rollers have during operationopposite rotational directions and are provided with a first sectionhaving a first radius and a second section having a second radius,wherein the first radius is larger than the second radius. In FIG. 4Bthese sections with the second (smaller) radius are shown closest toeach other such that a nip 4.5 is provided in between the rollers of thecatch and drawing means 4.2 that allows that the softer part 4.3 of theorgan package can be caught in the nip 4.5 such that it enters into oneof the slits 4.6, 4.7 next to a central tongue 4.1 of the cutter. Thecatch and drawing means 4.2 effectively catch the softer part 4.3 of theorgan package due to rotation of the rollers thereof. The rollers arearranged to close the nip 4.5 by having the sections with their firstradius move close to each other. Due to this movement the softer part4.3 of the organ package is gripped and drawn further into one of theslits 4.6, 4.7 adjacent to the central tongue 4.1. Cutting edges thatare provided at this central tongue 4.1 respectively at the edges of theslits 4.6, 4.7 cause the tissue connections between the part of theorgan package on top of the separator and the part of the organ packagebelow the separator to be broken.

With reference again to FIG. 3, subsequent to the first separator 3.6the remainder of the organ package is fed via a chute 3.7 onto a secondseparator 3.9 having an exit 3.10 for the heart removed from the organpackage, an exit 3.13 for the liver that is removed from the organpackage, and an exit 3.14 for the gizzard that is removed from the organpackage. Also, there is an exit 3.15 provided below the organ harvesterthat is intended for disposal of all the inedible parts of the organpackage. The operation of the second separator 3.9 of the organharvester shown in FIG. 3 that is located behind the first separator 3.6is further discussed hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

As mentioned with reference to FIG. 3 the organ package is provided tothe second separator shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by passing it thereon via achute 3.7. The organ package 7.1 drops then onto cooperating rollers7.2, which rollers have pitched grooves on their outer surfaces. Thecooperating rollers have sufficient space between them to allow theheart and liver to be separated to pass in between. Due to the pitchedgrooves, the heart 7.3 and liver 7.4 are pulled underneath said rollers7.2 and the remainder of the organ package 7.1 is conveyed further inthe conveying direction indicated with the arrows A. Preferably the nipbetween the rollers 7.2 is adjustable so as to be able to selectivelydefine the position at which the heart 7.3 and liver 7.4 will pass thenip between said rollers 7.2.

Above the rollers 7.2, a screw transporter 7.5 is provided in order toeffect conveyance of the remainder of the organ package that resides ontop of the rollers 7.2, particularly at the part of the rollers where nopitched groove is applied.

When moving further to the right from the position where the heart 7.3and the liver 7.4 have passed the opening in between the rollers 7.2,the opening has a diminishing dimension so as to prevent the furtherpassage of the remainder of the organ package on top of the rollers 7.2.

As both FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 clearly show, the screw transporter 7.5comprises an axis 7.6 that circumferentially is provided with aspiraling wall 7.7 such that adjacent parts of said wall 7.7 are spacedapart so as to receive an organ from the organ package there between. Assaid, this organ, notably the gizzard with the pre-stomach attachedthereto, is supported by the rollers 7.2.

At the end of the conveying direction in which the screw transporter 7.5moves the remainder of the organ package, there is a so-called gizzardguide 7.8, which for clarity purposes is not shown in FIG. 8. Thisallows FIG. 8 to show that the screw transporter 7.5 is provided with aclosing wall 7.9 near the exit of the screw transporter that connectsadjacent parts of the spiraling wall 7.7.

Due to the combined operation of the closing wall 7.9 at the exit of thescrew transporter 7.5 and the gizzard guide 7.8 shown in FIG. 7, tissueconnections are broken that connect the gizzard and pre-stomach to partsof the organ package that are caught between and below the nip of therollers 7.2, by pulling the gizzard with pre-stomach away and tearingthereby the tissue connections so as to eventually allow the gizzardwith pre-stomach to exit as indicated with reference numeral 7.10. Theliver 7.11, which up to that point has remained attached to the gizzard,is allowed to exit at 7.11 as well.

The gizzard and the pre-stomach that attaches thereto can be processedfurther in a gizzard processing device as schematically shown in FIG. 9.To this end the gizzard and the pre-stomach can be fed to cooperatingrollers 9.1 via an in-feed 10 of a chute 18 as shown in FIG. 1. Feedingin the gizzard and pre-stomach can be done in a random orientation sincethe cooperating rollers 9.1 arrange that the gizzard 9.2 assumes anupright position with the pre-stomach being caught below the gizzard 9.2in the nip between the rollers 9.1. The rollers 9.1 are further providedwith a helical groove causing the gizzard-package to be transported inthe direction of a cutting device 9.3 at which the pre-stomach isseparated from the gizzard 9.2. A pusher 9.4 arranges for the movementof the gizzard 9.2 such that it arrives at a slope portion 9.5 of thegizzard processing device, which is provided with a centrally positionedknife 9.6 and slopes 9.7 extending on both sides of the knife 9.6 at apredetermined angle with respect to the knife 9.6. This slope sectioncuts the gizzard 9.2 gradually open while spreading both sides of thegizzard that are separated from each other into a so called butterflyshape while releasing stones and other contents from the gizzard. Tothis end the slopes 9.7 gradually develop in the conveying direction ofthe gizzard 9.2 so as to cause the gizzard to be spread widely open intoa completely opened shape.

The gizzard processing device is further provided with a washing beam9.9 for the gizzard, having grooves 9.10 at which water supply outletsextend for washing out the gizzard contents that has not yet left thegizzard after it's being cut open by the knife 9.6. The washer outletsare not shown in the Figure, however it is completely clear for one ofordinary skill in the art how to implement same. At reference numeral9.11, the gizzard processing device has a part which folds the gizzardinside-out such that it maybe further cleaned and peeled in a subsequentgizzard peeler as shown in FIGS. 10-12.

The gizzard peeler as shown in FIGS. 10-12 comprises a series ofrollersets 10.3, 10.4. Each rollerset comprises a first roller 10.4 anda second roller 10.3 that in use rotate in opposite directions.

As both FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 further clearly show, each of the rollersets10.3, 10.4 partly borders a space for receipt of the gizzard 10.5 andthe rollersets 10.3, 10.4 collectively form a substantially cylindricalcase for said gizzard (see FIG. 10) or form part of such a case as shownin FIG. 11.

In FIG. 11 some rollersets are replaced by plates 11.1, which plateshowever together with all the rollersets shape the case in which thegizzard 10.5 is received.

During operation, the rollersets 10.3, 10.4 are rotatable around acentral body axis of the case, such that the case constitutes arevolving enclosure for the gizzard 10.5, and the individual rollers10.3, 10.4 execute a combined dual rotation both along their own axisand around the central body axis of the case.

Schematically both FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 further show that the firstroller 10.4 has teeth that intermesh with a gear 10.2. There is arotatable plate 10.1 that is provided with a circular series of holes10.6. Each of these holes is intended to receive an axis, for instancethe axes of the first rollers 10.4. Further the first rollers 10.4 andsecond rollers 10.3 have intermeshing teeth. Due to the combinedoperation of these intermeshing teeth of the first rollers 10.4 andsecond rollers 10.3, the rotation of the plate 10.1 causes that thefirst rollers 10.4 will rotate around their own axes. Due to the staticpositioning of the gear 10.2 consequently also the second rollers 10.3will rotate albeit in the opposite direction of first rollers 10.4 dueto the intermeshing teeth of the first and second rollers 10.4, 10.3.

FIGS. 10 and 11 further show that the intermeshing teeth of the firstand second rollers 10.3, 10.4 are helically shaped which not onlypromotes the peeling action on the gizzards 10.5, but also promotesmovement of the gizzards 10.5 in the conveying direction indicated witharrow B.

FIG. 12 shows that the gizzard peeler may be provided with a stopperdisc 12.1 between the peeler's in-feed and its exit. This stopper disc12.1 preferably has a central portion 12.2 that is circumferentiallyprovided with resilient flaps 12.3 to delay the movement of the gizzard12.5 in its conveying direction indicated with arrow B, causing that thepeeling action on the gizzard 12.5 is prolonged.

Although not shown in the figures, the gizzard peeler may be providedwith a washing unit, such as a washing drum, at its in-feed and/or itsexit.

It should be understood that the present invention includes variousother modifications that can be made to the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein that come within the scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents. These and other embodiments of the present inventionare with the spirit and scope of the claims that now follow.

1. A processing line for harvesting one or more organs from an organpackage removed from slaughtered poultry, the organ package includingtwo or more of the group comprising a heart, liver, gizzard, prestomach,and duodenum, the processing line comprising: an organ harvesterpositioned for the receipt of the organ package, each said organharvester comprising: a transport unit for moving and orienting theorgan package such that the duodenum of the organ package hangs belowthe remainder of the organ package; a first separator configured forreceipt of the organ package with the duodenum hanging below theremainder of the organ package, said first separator configured forseparating at least a duodenum from the organ package; a secondseparator configured for separating one or more organs other than agizzard from the organ package, said second separator positioned aftersaid first separator with regard to the movement of the organ packagesthrough the processing line; and a gizzard processing device positionedfor the receipt of the remainder of the organ package from said secondseparator, the gizzard processing device configured for separating thegizzard from any other portion of the organ package remaining after saidsecond separator.
 2. A processing line for harvesting one or more organsfrom an organ package removed from slaughtered poultry as in claim 1,further comprising one or more stopping elements positioned adjacent tosaid transport unit and configured for contact with the organ packagesso as to slow the movement of the organ packages along said transportunit.
 3. A processing line for harvesting one or more organs from anorgan package removed from slaughtered poultry as in claim 1, whereinsaid gizzard processing device further comprises a gizzard peeler.
 4. Aprocessing line for harvesting one or more organs from an organ packageremoved from slaughtered poultry as in claim 1, further comprising afirst endless belt placed adjacent to said transport unit andcooperating with said transport unit so as to orient the organ packages.5. A processing line for harvesting one or more organs from an organpackage removed from slaughtered poultry as in claim 4, wherein saidtransport unit is selected from the group comprising a second endlessbelt or a roller.
 6. A processing line for harvesting one or more organsfrom an organ package removed from slaughtered poultry as in claim 5,wherein said first endless belt and said transport unit are providedwith cooperating grooves that move in opposite rotational directionsduring operation of the processing line.
 7. A processing line forharvesting one or more organs from an organ package removed fromslaughtered poultry as in claim 4, wherein adjacent to said transportunit said first endless belt has grooves that are shaped as part of apitched groove.
 8. A processing line for harvesting one or more organsfrom an organ package removed from slaughtered poultry as in claim 4,wherein said first endless belt has a direction of movement that isperpendicular to the conveying direction of the organ package.
 9. Aprocessing line for harvesting one or more organs from an organ packageremoved from slaughtered poultry as in claim 1, wherein said secondseparator comprises at least two cooperating first rollers that includegrooves along their circumference, said first rollers defining anadjustable nip between said first rollers for selectively allowingpreselected organs from said organ package to pass through, said firstrollers configured to rotate in opposite directions so as tosimultaneously convey the organ package and pass the preselected organsthrough the nip.
 10. A processing line for harvesting one or more organsfrom an organ package removed from slaughtered poultry as in claim 9,wherein said second separator further comprises a screw transporter. 11.A gizzard processing device comprising: an infeed for an unprocessedgizzard-package, said infeed comprising cooperating rollers havinghelically shaped grooves for positioning the gizzard-package in anupright position with the gizzard above the pre-stomach, and fortransporting the gizzard-package along a conveying direction; and anexit or exits for parts of the gizzard-package such as a pre-stomachand/or a gizzard.
 12. A gizzard processing device as in claim 11,further comprising a cutting device provided near the end of thecooperating rollers for breaking the tissue connections between thegizzard and the pre-stomach.
 13. A gizzard processing device as in claim12, wherein said cutting device further comprises a slope portion with acentrally positioned knife and slopes extending on both sides of theknife at a predetermined angle with respect to the knife.
 14. A gizzardprocessing device as in claim 13, wherein the slopes extendsymmetrically on both sides of the knife and the angle of the slopesgradually develops as seen in the conveying direction of the gizzard soas to cause the gizzard, after being cut by the knife, to be spread intoa completely open shape.
 15. A gizzard processing device as in claim 11,further comprising a washing beam for the gizzard that includes groovesand a water supply having its outlet or outlets in the grooves forwashing out the gizzard's contents.
 16. A gizzard processing device asin claim 15, wherein the washing beam is located behind the slopeportion as seen in the conveying direction of the gizzard.